Abandoned 1940's Radio Station With Everything Left Behind. (So much history here) Explore # 108

A Devastating Look Inside An Abandoned 1940's Arkansas Radio Station. Explore # 108
I have never filmed in the USA before so I was thrilled to get together with ‪@AbandonedAtlasFoundation‬ and head out to Newport, Arkansas, USA and explore. Gage was kind enough to join us and give us a full guided tour of this historic place.
KNBY/KOKR radio station was built in 1949 and abandoned in 2004. So many things are left behind here. The roof has been leaking for years now. Sadly everything that has been left behind is rotting away. For years it operated as an AM station. Years later it operated as an FM station. In 2012 after 8 years the KOKR went back on air in a new building across the street operating as River Country 96.7FM. Thank you Gage for sharing the history of this place and being in the video.
Thank you Gage for showing us around and giving us the history on this place.
Here is his link - / dumptruck2000
Thank you to the ‪@AbandonedAtlasFoundation‬ for letting me tour this amazing site!
Learn more about this radio station at ‪@AbandonedAtlasFoundation‬ 's KZbin video. Its a full documentary with interviews with former employees • Untold Stories of the ...
Read the full history here: abandonedar.com/abandoned-rad...
Be sure to check out the Feature Documentary on a really cool abandoned hotel!
Amazon Prime: www.amazon.com/Forever-Majest...
KZbin Movie: • Forever Majestic
Other links: www.ForeverMajesticFilm.com
After a shady fire, city corruption, and 10 years of neglect, activists race to save the abandoned Majestic Hotel from demolition.
Photo Credits:
‪@AbandonedAtlasFoundation‬
Colour Photos: LeeAnn Holmes
Gage Fears
If you like this video or you would like support my channel, you can buy me a coffee at this link: ko-fi.com/abandonedurbexcanada Thank you!
Check out my NEW store! teespring.com/stores/abandone...
What to see my pictures of abandoned places? Follow me on:
Instagram / abandoned_urbex_canada
Facebook / abandonedurbexcanada
About me:
I have been exploring abandoned places since I was a child and now I would like to film the explores and share the videos with you.
My father took me to my first abandoned house when I was 7 years old. I remember going into the house and a old farmer came in and told us "we better watch out as the floors are all rotten and unsafe". Ever since that day I was hooked on exploring abandoned places.
If you have a location you would like to share with me or want me to explore for you please send me an email at [e-mail] and I will give you full credit for the share in the description and during the video if you choose.
Contact info: [e-mail]
Intro music by
Nomyn - Lightness
Soundcloud - / nomyn
Facebook - NomynMusic
Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/5VbsCwCoxtsC4nRCyLJveN
Apple Music - itunes.apple.com/us/artist/no...
Deezer - www.deezer.com/en/artist/1485...
Twitter - NomynMusic
Bandcamp - nomyn.bandcamp.com/
#abandonedplaces
#urbanexploring
#abandonedRadioStation

[@GCF-Media]

October 2023 Update!!! KNBY/KOKR as well as all but one Sudbury Broadcasting stations in Arkansas have been purchased by Eastern Arkansas Broadcasters! The company's plan is to bring the station back on the air! The news was shared publicly. (KOKR has been off the air since atleast March of 2023. KNBY has been off the air since atleast 2021.) We may see a powsible building restoration. I will update as the story developes

[@ikonix360]

I do hope the building can be restored to its former glory.

[@voiceofjeff]

I worked radio for 40 years. If I may add some info: The three small lamps on the wall are telephone lamps. They're normally used to show the phone was ringing. Different lights for different lines usually. Not saying they couldn't be used for something else. The reel to reel decks are Revox A77 machines. If they were in good shape, they'd be worth a little money on eBay. I've worked with machines identical to those in the late 70s. The big light bulb on the floor that you picked up was a beacon light from the tower. It was likely a 600watt bulb, and often 2 of them were in the red light (beacon) at the top of the tower. I believe the audio mixer that had the very old headphones laying on it was made by Ramko Research. I used to own one just like it. Those were a real piece of cheap junk! Those old transmitters have scrap value! Thanks for the tour. Great video!

[@GCF-Media]

The control board is in fact a Ramko Research.

[@GCF-Media]

Thank you for visiting Arkansas! Should do it again. fun little fact, that white phone in the transmitter area, it was used for calling for maintenance on those machines, Especially when they went down during broadcasts. Mr. Turner would call that phone and instruct the people there on how to get it back up and going. Love the video! Keep it up man! - Gage

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks Gage! Glad you were a part of this video 😎👍🏻

[@jenniferdebro8634]

Enjoyed hearing about the music history with the station. Can't believe all the stuff left behind, especially personal files!?! Cool seeing the cassettes and CD's. I wonder why the new radio station didn't clean it out when they moved.

[@coreybabcock2023]

I would take it

[@error52]

Those machines you show at around 19 minutes in the video are Revox A77 tape recorders. One of the workhorses of the audio industry. Made in Switzerland by the Studer company they offered amazing sound quality and reliability at a fairly affordable price. That's why a LOT of small radio stations and recording studios used them.

[@maryrafuse3851]

Don't forget Magnecord professional recorders used by radio stations and in airport control towers because they were tough.

[@JeanStAubin-nl9uo]

This was different from your other explores. It was interesting to see inside a radio station. Thanks Brent!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you!

[@DanTonysBreezanna0719]

What is the name of ur theme song? I just love it.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

It’s in the description of all my videos 👍🏻

[@rexoliver7780]

Nice radio station tour! I work in radio so this kind of work is my career. Worked on a Gates transmitter similar to the one you found It would be 5 or 10 kw. The front of the transmitter and is case is grounded . It what’s inside that can fatally bite you. The main power disconnect and your ground stick are your freinds those save your lives. As an engineer did studio engineer work,too work at the VOA/Marti short wave transmitter plant in Greenville, NC. 100kw,250kw and 500kw transmitters.

[@stevescott2903]

Very cool and certainly far flung from the normal haunts were used to from Ontario to BC..... That post WW2 brutalist, utilitarian architecture with the 70's interior makeover is all pretty trippy to say the least. Rabbit warren of wood paneling.... But My God, what a wreck! Shocking what they left behind. All those CD's, tapes, vinyl, memorabilia. Wow.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Sweet spot for sure

[@retroryan838]

I really like wood paneling. Specifically the ones from the 70s. I’ve always loved the lines that go to through them and the patterns on the wood.

[@sexyshit84]

Now this is something you dont get to see often at all. I loved that you had Gage come along. Great historian for this. I wonder what use they are selling that place for. Thanks again for the awesome tour Brent.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Land value I’m sure. Probably rebuild

[@arnepianocanada]

So sad that builders didn't elevate a few feet, perhaps with a crawl space beneath. The station might be useable to this day. Super post, guys - thanks from another Canadian.

[@debralavorata546]

So good to have you in the states!! This video was cool,the building reminded me of the radio station in American graffiti,where wolfman Jack was working.Lots if history,maybe it could be restored and landmarked,it should be thanks Bret for always an amazing video,please visit us again!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you Debra! I’ll be back 😁👍🏻

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

That was awesome. My mother was one of those screaming teenage Elvis fans.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

🤣

[@joanneachildoftheking4199]

Very cool explore. Those Gospel groups you have never heard of are amazing. My Kind of music!

[@bsage5514]

This explore was Soo cool!! You weren't kidding when you said ALOT was left behind including the pickles!! I heard the fax 'squeal' when I saw the fax machines LOL! The shooting outside was probably just some good ole boys target practicing. I liked the Matador picture, they were popular long ago as paint by number on velvet. Loved the drone fly by, such Awesome work you have done on this one, it sure made me feel some kinda way! Shout out to Gage for the tour. Thank you for coming down to the US to film this explore!! 📼 📼 📼

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Glad you enjoyed it! I need to return to the USA soon. Had a great time 😎

[@jerroldmcley4347]

Very cool 😎 place looking forward to more of your America trip

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Lots of awesome videos coming

[@patricialangford5380]

Thanks for visiting us here in USA!!! hope you enjoy your visit. Thanks for the tour Brent lots of great history. Stay Safe.

[@ArcadeFires]

I hope someone eventually takes a few minutes to pick up all those CD's on the floor! I can't help but think something of value might be walked on and crushed...

[@patmurphy389]

I didn't know you came to the states! Thank you for the video, it was interesting to see all that stuff.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

I’ll be back!

[@patmurphy389]

@@AbandonedUrbexCanada I hope so!

[@twobrokeguyz1214]

Holy smokes, bro!! I'm in Arkansas! Would have been awesome to have said hi to you, maybe have a few beers! Thanks for the video!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

I would have enjoyed that 😎

[@cindyluwho602003]

One thing I miss just as much as old abandoned buildings is, old abandoned, radio stations were small & independent & on the cutting edge of music. 💙

[@maryrafuse3851]

Agreed, it was the owner operated stations that took risks with format and introducing new artists. They put everything they had into their small communities.

[@raynaknierim9277]

Hi Brent! Glad to see you state side. That place was trashed and such a shame. So much history in there that should have been saved. Great video. Thanks to Gage and Abandoned Arkansas.

[@customscreenprinting]

Abandoned Urbex Canada thanks my friend for sharing this video with me about A Devastating Look Inside An Abandoned 1940's Arkansas Radio Station. it was a really good video brent i really enjoyed it so much i can't wait to see your next video and God Bless.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you!

[@tpcdude]

At 20:52 you can see the front door of a Gates BC1F 1kw AM transmitter i have two of these operating on ham bands in my collection today.. wonderful to see this shot. This is probably the transmitter they first went on the air with in 1947

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Cool thanks for sharing this

[@carolb29]

well this was a different explore....very cool!

[@nickbakker6963]

Another really interesting explore, Brent! You always provide quality videos! Thanks for taking us along!!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks Nick!

[@kathybrimmer6645]

Another great video!!!

[@tamieckert4548]

Hi Brent 😁👏👏✅🔦🪑🎧🎼🪕🎻🪗Such great coverage on this pearl of history on music station. I remember “She Daisy”videos. Cool and creepy! Thanks 😁🌟

[@kaceyharms3135]

My dad had a tape real when I was growing up in the 70’s. I specifically remember the song “White sports coat and a pink carnation” playing on it.

[@tpcdude]

Great stuff at 10:47 you can see a AM transmitter marked CCA i have one of these operating in my ham station today .. converted to ham radio frequencys you can see it on QRZ site with my callsign KC8ZUL. great to see one in the "wild".

[@pennyadamson9534]

Thank you very much for your videos

[@lilathacker9790]

Your videos are great! 👍 Thanks

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you for watching

[@JohnShinn1960]

Hi Brent, welcome to the states! Hoping you stay/stayed awhile and filmed some more! An Impressive vid too! I hope all the recordings are saved, who knows whats there. Thanks Brent!, Thanks Gage! 👍👍👍👍 PS: I hope you left some pens, that ghost might be carrying! 😳 😉

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks John! All the pens are gone 🤣👻

[@CatsCoffeeCrime]

Nice. Really unusual. Loved the curved brick work on the outside of the building. 👍🏻

[@clairefunnell8481]

Fascinating old place Brent. What a shame it closed. Let's hope someone buys it and does something with it.

[@Marilyn195]

Thanks for the cool explore through the old radio station👍👍🇨🇦

[@R118GSiVVC]

Very interesting Brent!

[@jdpinbaytown]

Good to see you here in the US!, And not too far from me here in Texas!, Was always curious about Radio Stations, We had a abandoned one here in Baytown years ago " KTRH ", Then it was turned into a House!

[@shirleynoah2766]

Loved the explore.. Loved your t-shirt too, one of my favorite colors 😊

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you! 👍🏻

[@paulym5814]

Stepping up the game Brent. Another great piece of history. Sad that they don’t preserve that building. Great episode man. Take care.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you 👍🏻😁

[@kathybrimmer6645]

I love the history of this place!!!!

[@PioneerCity1767]

That radio station is awesome. Can't believe somebody didn't keep it up by keeping the roof up and kept it from being ransacked by dumbasses, and preserved the tapes, records, reels, and equipment. That place would have made a great piece of history as a museum all it's own. Did you see if the radio station letters were still there somewhere that was on top of the building?

[@JohnShinn1960]

The letters went to a museum in Newport. Check the replys to Lina To's comment. 👍

[@RB-sy1oz]

So cool that you came to the States to do a explore. I hope you do some more before you go back to Canada. Love your videos. Thank you

[@kelleygiambro7542]

Cool to have had you here in the states. I have family in Arkansas, so that’s neat too.

[@sylviamiller9047]

WOW! What a sad great story and history lesson!

[@janwarriner6554]

Welcome to America. Stay awhile! ❤️🇺🇸❤️

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks Jan

[@ckswat77zz51]

Welcome to the states Brent! Great explore. What history. Seeing Elvis as a teen😳💗what an amazing time to be a teen. Can you imagine what those reel to reels have on them! I wonder why nothing was saved. Sad. Thanks Brent. Hey Gage, you should interview your Grandmother for us. Stay safe & hope you are having/had a great time. Can’t wait for your next explore

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you!

[@jerrylowden1977]

HELLO from Texas. Always great videos.

[@arnepianocanada]

6:30 etc... hearing old music a bit eerie? Or ear-y? 😁 I love the teamwork, partly because (as with Mobile Instinct) you 'loners' might fall, get stuck or bonked with no help around.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

I will be getting together with him in the future 👍🏻😁

[@estherl2407]

Awesome history there. I know Newport well

[@ianclifford4309]

Love watching your videos fantastic keep up the good work. Bud

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks!

[@syed2247]

So sad to see this radio station. The sight of an abandoned radio station is really a very sad thing. Lots od memories here.

[@joshuaneilson]

Oh man too bad that place is in such terrible shape, I would have loved to have seen it right after they left it. I’d bring a tape player and listen to what they left behind. Love the videos, cheers Brent!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks Josh!

[@cmiller4171]

Great explore!

[@jilldavis7229]

Interesting place!!! I always like to see if a building like this could be turned into a home… unfortunately not this one due to all of the water damage😰😞😢 Too bad that the exterior cinder blocks couldn’t be saved & reused 😞😰😢 Thank you for sharing this wonderful adventure with us! I loved it ❤️

[@forgottenindiana.5991]

Great video. It would be a great explore

[@jdknightexplorations4963]

Wow! I'm in Memphis, TN. I'm sure we could find a great place to explore together.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Sounds great!

[@scottthompson7637]

You certainly know how to put an interesting show together. Please keep it up.

[@retroryan838]

I like the wood paneling there. Reminds me of my cottage. I love wood paneling from the 70s with the lines that go through them.

[@virginiamoore2348]

Great video! So sad that it has been let go, looks like someone would buy this place and fix it up. No telling who all is in those tapes. Great historical sight.

[@mdelannoy3495]

I love the video 👍👍👍😺😺😺😺

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Great thanks

[@rpexplorations]

Very cool!! Reminds me of the old radio stations you see in movies.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Would make a great film set

[@ohioyodertoter6827]

The paneling 😍😯😛👌😛

[@brendacowan6689]

Interesting. Especially the history

[@tylerjones2695]

Loved it

[@megmills1697]

Great video hope you had a safe journey home🙂

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you Meg

[@megmills1697]

@@AbandonedUrbexCanada your welcome and thank you for the answer on the dish I love learning

[@jerroldmcley4347]

Hey welcome to America love all your explores in Canada can't wait for this one to start

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thank you!

[@lovinglife6080]

Sad they didn't keep up as beautiful that it used to be thank you for always showing good video of the places you see

[@cindykoehn7680]

Wow awesome Brent! Can hear Elvis Johnny Cash singing! How great it is to have someone so knowledgeable take you around. If you haven’t seen the new Elvis movie you need to, it’s on Crave in 🇨🇦 Thanks for the videos!

[@donprice9050]

Eerie as heck! I think those autographed pics should be saved.

[@1834RestorationHouse]

I've worked in radio stations just like this back when they were still broadcasting.

[@DameUntamed]

Loved this one! So much history here... fascinating to hear about it through Gage; super knowledgable! Is it bad that those pickles still looked so delicious!? You'd have to pay me more than $20 to eat one though 😂.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks Nikki! I thought they looked pretty good. I think I would eat one for $20

[@jonimarchese7655]

Hey Brent, welcome to the state, I don't understand why when they knew this station was closing, they didn't gather up the music, some of the reel to reel may have interviews with artists from who knows what year, just a shame. Great video hi to the guys. Love from NY.

[@GCF-Media]

Most of the reel to reels left are gospel music sadly.

[@jonimarchese7655]

@@GCF-Media ok thank you.

[@frankforrest1597]

Great explore Brent. If them walls could talk, the stories they could tell. Great to have you in the states. Maybe in the future you could do some more collaborative content. 👊👍🤙

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Yes I’ll be heading back to colab with a few others

[@frankforrest1597]

@@AbandonedUrbexCanada That's awesome Brent 👍

[@arnepianocanada]

Cant stop commenting. The last intercut of drone, old photos and current state of decay made me want to cry.

[@user-randi1987]

Really interesting, Bret. I can only imagine the smell in there from all that wet insulation. Thanks

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

The smell was pretty bad 🤣

[@Alison_Bennett]

Wow ! Not far from me. I live in east of Memphis. Hope you enjoy your travels. 😊

[@supermoodydealwithit]

Ahhhh... that abandoned typewriter! I still use one just like it at my work. People have literally looked at me typing and asked what I'm doing. 😂

[@Pembroke.]

This is such an incredibly fascinating place with such a tremendous history. Can you imagine somewhere on those tapes is the voices of Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash. Wait a minute gun shots - stay safe fellas.

[@davidparacka]

Brent, you looked positively dewy, the humidity must've been awful there. All those cobwebs were a part of you. I was actually uncomfortable watching your progress thru this place!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

It was very hot there oh man 🤣

[@59tante]

loved this

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks

[@JennyT372]

This made me really sad. Such a great archive just left to rot and be vandalised. That aside, another absorbing adventure.

[@jlucasound]

Posters and CDs that represent Shattered Dreams and Hopes. Maybe they were better off. Many who "made it", didn't. Even Elvis kinda spiraled down although he did A LOT. Even if they (the Poster and CD artists you are showing here) didn't, though, they have bragging rights. They are in the radio station that saw the early years of Elvis and many other big names. That is more than I can say! KUDOS to all the musicians that made it to (be kept by) this radio station!!

[@texelmicrorc]

the tree growing through the satellite dish was bizarre. Would be cool to hear what was on those reel to reel tapes.

[@amuck555]

I always loved that good ol’ bando smell until I cleaned one out and got sick after. Thanks for the video and the history 👍

[@pseudopetrus]

Sad that a historical site goes to rot!

[@haroldemery9641]

What an awesome place I saw a poster of the Talley Trio they’re great

[@kelleyniswonger3499]

I love pickles, but 18 years old is a little old. 😆 Thank you for sharing. Its sad that sone much stuff was left to rot

[@Polo-Hat]

Kinda surprised the antenna tower is still up, 18 years after the site closed. They're a safety hazard-liability and property owner can get fined if the safety light at the top of the tower stops working.

[@GCF-Media]

4 ft shorter than the FAA standard.

[@karinadebbage5452]

Hi.. I’m loving this new line of places to visit...How weird was it that music was playing through those headphones 🎧!!!!, Looks And sounds like its a bit Haunted... I don’t think that I would want to stay in their to long...but it’s really great that the whole place is still full of Documents and Tapes, photos and Posters!!! Not to mention the “Cobwebs”..lol😆 I love this place, I could Just pull up a chair, and start a Good ole Rummage round!!!, You can Just tell your in America, The Shooting in the Background gives it Away!!! This place is my kind of interesting....Thanks mr Brent Sir..luv ya!!!🐾🦊🙏🙏🇬🇧🇬🇧😱😱❤️❤️❤️💋

[@jenniferjacobs228]

An opportunity for missed for a fabulous Radio and Music History Museum. If only someone had looked after the place. It even has the contemporary mid century Art Deco look on the top front of the main building. Shameful that all that is lost and decaying.

[@jlucasound]

You ARE young, Brent! @15:33 You picked up a cassette tape and said, "Look at all these Tape Decks". 🤣😂 I guess that makes me Old. 😭😜 You are awesome!!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

I used tape decks growing up. I’m old 🤣

[@funone8716]

Great video.......what a shame.

[@letaloudone]

Very cool building. Ashame building couldn't be repaired and ran as a museum.

[@RangerRick2022]

The bell, as it is noted, is a Program Monitor Alarm which would only go off if the AM and/or FM station experiences dead air. The guy wires have insulators on them, so the tower itself was likely the AM radiator. That is a pretty good site to redevelop if the owners can get what they are asking.

[@libertymichel7649]

Welcome to the states! Hope you enjoyed it. Next time check SD out, there is a gold mine of abandoned houses and lots of history

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Oh nice! Thanks

[@bretthibbs6083]

That light bulb that you had in your hand was for the tower light. A few years ago I binged watched youtube videos of John hettish and he changed a few of those bulbs. This was cool I'm kinda of a radio station/ transmitter tower fanatic lol. Fun fact a few years ago I was tuning on my am radio and I received wsm radio from nashville TN almost 900 miles away. I live in MN

[@GCF-Media]

when they bust... hit the floor! 😂

[@jari6584]

Welcome to the US...your alarm joke was pretty funny! 😃 😀

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

🤣 thanks

[@kevintennant7701]

Excellent explore Brent. However, the condition of the bulding was appauling. Lost history for sure!

[@richardmerriam7044]

Look for any vacuum tubes! The station started in the 1940's-everything ran on tubes. Some are worth a fortune. Transmitter tubes are still being used, and they cost a bundle!! The Revox reel-reel decks are worth something.

[@Momus21]

Great explore! It would have made a great museum before it was allowed to run down so much.

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Thanks man